MLB: Twins defeat Orioles 7-2, sweep series
{{date|April 5, 2007}}

{{MatchScore|Minnesota Twins|7|2|Baltimore Orioles}}

The [[w:Minnesota Twins|Minnesota Twins]] swept the [[w:Baltimore Orioles|Baltimore Orioles]] in a 7-2 victory at the [[w:Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome|Metrodome]] Wednesday. [[w:Ramón Ortiz|Ramón Ortiz]] made an impressive Twins debut, giving up only two runs in seven innings of play and picking up the win. This was the first time Minnesota has swept a series with the Orioles at home since they faced them in May 1994, and their first 3-0 start since 2003.

Baltimore pitcher [[w:Jaret Wright|Jaret Wright]] made his debut for the Orioles Wednesday, but he gave up six runs (four earned) and five walks in less than three innings. Oriole fielders were charged with three errors. This was the first time Baltimore has started the season 0-3 since 1995.

Twins got things started early, with [[w:Michael Cuddyer|Michael Cuddyer]] hitting in [[w:Nick Punto|Nick Punto]] in both the first and third innings. [[w:Rondell White|Rondell White]] got his first hit of the season and picked up two RBIs. [[w:Luis Castillo|Luis Castillo]], who hit in the Twins the winning run on Tuesday picked up two RBIs as well. In the fifth inning, [[w:Jason Kubel|Jason Kubel]] hit in [[w:Torii Hunter|Torii Hunter]], making the score 7-0.

Baltimore attempted a rally in the sixth inning, [[w:Melvin Mora|Melvin Mora]] and [[w:Miguel Tejada|Miguel Tejada]] hitting in a run each, but the pitching by Ortiz and the Twins' defense held them to only two runs.

Cuddyer left the game following the fourth inning after being hit by a bouncing foul ball in the chin. He was given five stitches and is expected to be ready to play on Friday when the team travels to [[w:Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]] to face the [[w:Chicago White Sox|White Sox]]. Baltimore will head to [[w:New York City|New York]] to face the [[w:New York Yankees|Yankees]] after their off day.

In the course of the game, reliever [[w:Joe Nathan|Joe Nathan]] became a father for a second time, his wife giving birth to his son Riley. Nathan, being allowed to miss the game, left the hospital shortly after the birth to attend the final inning. He was able to congratulate his team immediately following their win, while being congratulated himself.

== Box score ==
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" style="margin:1em 1em; background:#f9f9f9; border:1px #aaa solid; border-collapse:collapse;"
|- style="background: #e9e9e9;"
! &nbsp;    !! 1 !! 2 !! 3 !! 4 !! 5 !! 6 !! 7 !! 8 !! 9 !! R !! H !! E
|-
| Baltimore || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 6 || 3
|-
| Minnesota || 1 || 0 || 5 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || X || 7 || 11|| 1
|}
<small>W: Ortiz (1-0)<br/>L: Wright (0-1)</small>

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=/mlb/news/AAN4071662.htm
|title=Twins shoot for home sweep of Orioles
|author=
|pub=The Sports Network
|date=April 4, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070404&content_id=1879797&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=min
|title=Ortiz shines in Twins debut
|author=Thesier, Kelly
|pub=Major League Baseball
|date=April 4, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070404&content_id=1879791&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal
|title=Wright struggles with command in loss
|author=Fordin, Spencer
|pub=Major League Baseball
|date=April 4, 2007}}
*Broadcast of game. ''[[w:Fox Sports Net|FSN North]]'', 2007-04-04

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{{archived}}
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Baseball]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball]]
[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:Minnesota]]
[[Category:Maryland]]
[[Category:Baltimore, Maryland]]
[[Category:United States]]
The Minnesota Twins swept the Baltimore Orioles in a 7-2 victory at the Metrodome Wednesday. Ramón Ortiz made an impressive Twins debut, giving up only two runs in seven innings of play and picking up the win. This was the first time Minnesota has swept a series with the Orioles at home since they faced them in May 1994, and their first 3-0 start since 2003.

Baltimore pitcher Jaret Wright made his debut for the Orioles Wednesday, but he gave up six runs (four earned) and five walks in less than three innings. Oriole fielders were charged with three errors. This was the first time Baltimore has started the season 0-3 since 1995.

Twins got things started early, with Michael Cuddyer hitting in Nick Punto in both the first and third innings. Rondell White got his first hit of the season and picked up two RBIs. Luis Castillo, who hit in the Twins the winning run on Tuesday picked up two RBIs as well. In the fifth inning, Jason Kubel hit in Torii Hunter, making the score 7-0.

Baltimore attempted a rally in the sixth inning, Melvin Mora and Miguel Tejada hitting in a run each, but the pitching by Ortiz and the Twins' defense held them to only two runs.

Cuddyer left the game following the fourth inning after being hit by a bouncing foul ball in the chin. He was given five stitches and is expected to be ready to play on Friday when the team travels to Chicago to face the White Sox. Baltimore will head to New York to face the Yankees after their off day.

In the course of the game, reliever Joe Nathan became a father for a second time, his wife giving birth to his son Riley. Nathan, being allowed to miss the game, left the hospital shortly after the birth to attend the final inning. He was able to congratulate his team immediately following their win, while being congratulated himself.
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